The town of Cambridge, New Zealand, is reeling from the devastating loss of two young lives in unrelated tragedies that occurred over Mother’s Day weekend.
A sense of sorrow has enveloped the tight-knit community as they grapple with the heartbreaking deaths of 15-year-old Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter and 10-year-old Jimmy Schick in incidents that have left families shattered and residents stunned.
Nevaeh Ngamoki-Porter, a Year 10 student at Rototuna Junior High School in Hamilton, passed away on Sunday after sustaining critical injuries in a house fire that erupted on Friday evening.
Her death was confirmed in a heartfelt letter sent to parents by her school. A bright and promising student, Nevaeh’s passing has left classmates, teachers, and friends in mourning.
On the same day, tragedy struck again when Jimmy Schick, a student at Kaipaki School and member of the respected Schick family, lost his life in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crash on a rural property on French Pass Road in Karāpiro.
His father, Rodney Schick—well-known in the New Zealand thoroughbred racing community as a director of the NZ Thoroughbred Racing Board—was critically injured in the incident. Two others, including Jimmy’s brother, sustained serious and minor injuries.
Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan, visibly emotional, described the twin tragedies as “almost unbearable,” especially as both occurred on Mother’s Day—a time typically filled with family joy. “There are no words,” she said, adding that the grief felt by the community was profound. “I hugged my children a lot longer than what they naturally get.”
The ATV crash occurred in a remote, hilly area that complicated rescue efforts. Emergency services had to be airlifted in, with the Auckland Westpac Helicopter winching Rodney Schick from 40 feet. None of the riders were believed to be wearing helmets at the time of the accident, according to emergency responders.
Meanwhile, firefighters and community members displayed courage and heroism in battling the blaze that claimed Nevaeh’s life. Mayor O’Regan acknowledged the bravery of those involved, including one firefighter who reportedly risked his own safety inside the burning home.
Kaipaki School Principal Kim Budd and Board Chair Lisette Balsom released a statement expressing the school’s deep sorrow over the loss of Jimmy. They described him as a much-loved student and extended condolences to the injured family members. The Ministry of Education’s trauma team has been deployed to support staff and students through the grief.
The Schick family, known for their ownership of Windsor Park Stud and for their philanthropic contributions to the Cambridge and greater Waikato communities, have requested privacy during this time. Friends and neighbors gathered at the family’s home on Monday to grieve together.
Mayor O’Regan, who lives on a farm herself, acknowledged the inherent risks of rural life and the use of ATVs but emphasized that no one ever anticipates such tragedy. “Nobody purposefully goes out to do these things,” she said. “As a mum and as a farmer, I know these risks all too well. But this is really hard to fathom.”
